Opening means for container closure



| FRIED ETAL 3,220,598

OPENING MEANS FGR CONTAINER CLOSURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Louis Fried 5 A. Rulph DAndrea ATTYS Nov. 30, 1965 Original Filed Feb. 5, 1954 Nov. 30, 1965 FRiED ETAL 3,220,598

OPENING MEANS FOR CONTAINER CLOSURE Original Filed Feb. 5, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 8. Fig. 7.

7m/enfans Louis Fried A. Ralph D'Andreu 5f MMV W ATTY,

Nov. 30, 1965 FRIED ETAL 3,220,598

OPENING MEANS FOR CONTAINER CLOSURE Original Filed Feb. .'5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ve/vo/:r Louis Fried ,55, A.Rc1|ph DAndreo Mywymc) HTTYJ United States Patent O 3,220,598 OPENING MANS FOR CONTAINER CLOSURE Louis Fried, East Orange, NJ., and Angelo Ralph DAndrea, Philadelphia, Pa.; said DAndrea assignor of 17.557 to Herbert M. Beitel, Chicago, lli. Continuation of application Ser. No. 407,934, Feb. 3, 1954. This application Nov. 17, 1960, Ser. No. 80,715 6 Claims. (Cl. 220-48) This invention relates generally to the class of receptacles and is directed particularly to improvements in the construction of a receptacle or container wherein novel means is provided in association with a wall thereof for facilitating the opening of the same for the removal of the contents of the container.

This application is a continuation of our copending application Serial No. 407,934, filed February 3, 1954, now abandoned.

Many receptacles, such, for example, as sheet metal or the like cans in which liquids or other fiowable materials are marketed and having a permanent closure constituted by a wall or part thereof, require the use of some type of cutter or punching device for the formation of an opening through which the contents can be removed.

Many devices have been provided for opening sealed receptacles or containers formed of metal, iiberboard or other materials and in the case particularly of metal containers, such as cans for beer, ale or the like, such devices are commonly in the nature of a cutting or puncturing means. For instance, a metal bar having a pointed end by which an opening can be cut in the container wall is now very popular. However, various objections are associated with the use of these devices such as the cost due to the fact that they must be formed of a stiff or heavy metal, and they make a rough edge in their cutting or puncturing operation and, further, because it frequently occurs that the devices become lost or mislaid and are not available when wanted, not to mention the physical effort required to open such containers.

The present invention has for an object to overcome or avoid the foregoing and other objections associated with openers of the type at present provided for opening cans and other receptacles, by providing an improved container wherein the same has a preformed smooth edge opening in a wall thereof and covered by a frangible disc or the like and the opener is fixed to said wall in a manner whereby it overlies the opening and may be easily and quickly removed from the wall when desired for cutting the part of the disc over the opening and thus form a discharge opening in such wall, and all this done with a minimum of physical effort.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container structure having a wall provided with a discharge opening, with a covering and sealing means overlying the opening upon the inside of the container, and an opener device interposed between said wall and sealing means and closing the opening, with releasable means for securing the opener in place until required for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container or receptacle wherein a wall is provided with a preformed opening which is shielded from the underside, or inside, by a covernig means of a character to effectively retain the contents of the container from escape through the opening and which, at the same time, may be readily removed or cut away over the area thereof which covers the opening.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a container construction wherein the shield for the preformed opening covering means comprises an element xed to but readily removable from the wall, which is designed to facilitate the removal of the opening covering means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved container structure and opening wherein, in the application of the invention to beer cans or other continers carrying a gas under pressure, such gas pressure is utilized in maintaining the opener in firm attachment to the container wall, such as the top, to prevent its accidental displacement and loss in the handling of the filled container.

A further object of the invention is to provide in asso'- ciation with an opener device maintained in position upon the container wall in the manner above set forth, a means whereby the opener is designed to be given a preliminary manipulation for effecting the release of gas pressure from the container whereby the removal of the opener and its subsequent use for puncturing or cutting through the opening covering means, may be effected.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel combined container top or wall and opener and a novel method of producing said container top and opener construction of the character stated wherein the top or wall an inner liner disc or the like, and an opener element are maintained together as a unit and ready for application and seaming of the top or Wall to a can body or the like, in such a wayas to permit the usual stacking of the said tops or walls for feeding to conventional can top or wall applying machines and without altering or changing the can top hoppers or the machines.

A still further object is to provide a container structure and opener wherein there is provided an opener element consisting of a strip of relatively thin gauge at metal folded upon itself to provide an under portion which is pointed and is interposed between the wall of the container and a discharge opening covering means and an upper portion which is maintained against the outer surface of the wall and wherein, further, the fold between the two parts of the opener is so designed as to avoid breakage when the top portion of the opener is bent to effect its removal from the container wall and for utilizing the said pointed portion for opening the container.

Other objects include the provision, in a container construction such as a beer can in which gas under pressure is present, of a novel means of slotting a wall, such as the metal disc of the end wall, for the reception of one part of the opener element so that the said one part of the opener element can be readily inserted for securement in a position between the metal disc and a frangible liner sheet, of metal, plastic or other material, covering the under surface of the metal wall disc and easily removed after the gas has been released from the container; to provide a novel construction wherein the top part of the folded opener device, while being maintained against the outer side of the metal wall disc of the top throughout the major portions of its length, can be easily engaged by a finger to facilitate its being bent or raised from the can top; to provide a novel means whereby the protective liner sheet lying against the under side of the metal wall disc forming a part of the can top may be punctured upon the bending upwardly of the top part of the opener device, to permit gas to escape from the container; and to provide an improved means of sealing the peripheral portion of the liner sheet to the under side of the metal wall disc of the top structure whereby to positively assure the maintenance of the contents of the receptacle out of Contact with the metal disc or the coating which is conventionally applied thereto.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings with the understanding that the invention is not confined to a strict conformity with the showig of the drawings but may be changed or modified within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 .illustrates the application of the invention to a wall of a Container such as a conventional sheet metal can and shows the pressed metal disc lforming a part of the top or closure body, the frangible liner sheet or opening sealer located against the underside of the metal disc, and the opener element of novel construction which in the -completed to-p unit is secured to the metal disc.

FIG. 2 is a View in top plan of the container top and opener constructed in accordance with the present invention as it appears when secured to the top of a conventional sheet metal can, such as a can of beer, in which there Yis a gas under high pressure.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2 showing the curved character which the top assumes, when applied to cans containing gas under pressure, due to the pressure in the can, after the top is fixed thereto, and illustrating `the manner in which the applied liner sheet upon the under side of the metal disc of the top contines the opener device in position and holds it against accidental removal.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of the top portion of a can equipped with a top and opener constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrating the manner .in which the top portion of the opener device is first bent to effect the puncturing of the frangible liner sheet covering the preformed opening for permitting the escape of gas.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken in a vertical plane and longitudinally of the opener device and through a portion of the container top, showing the first stage of manipulation of the top portion of the opener device in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, corresponding to FIG. 5 and showing the completion of the bending operation of the top part of the opener with puncturing of the covering liner sheet on the `under side of the metal disc of the top structure.

FIG. 7 .is a View in top plan of the container top prior to the application thereto of the opener device.

FIG. 8 is a view in top plan of the container top and opener in its assembled form ready for application by a conventional top applying machine to and beaded connection with the flanged top of the can body.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 9 9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partial section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 10-10 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 1l is a partial section taken substantially on the line 11-11 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a View in perspective of theopener per se, shown in inverted position.

FIG. 13 is a detail section on an enlarged scale taken substantially on the line 13-13 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is a view in plan of a metal blank illustrating a step in a method of forming and attaching an opener.

FIG. 15 illustrates a subsequent step in the method referred to in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a transverse section through a modified form of the top showing the application of a synthetic resin coating to the underface of the liner sheet.

FIG. 17 is a perspective View of the opener showing the complete form thereof apart from the top.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated .in FIG. 1 a receptacle or container in the form of a sheet metal can body which is generally designated 10. The reference numeral 12 designates the side wall of the container while the bottom wall or bottom portion is designated 14.

The top construction embodying the present invention is illustrated with its parts in separated relation above the open top of the can body, which top construction when applied to the can body is secured thereto by a conventional top securing machine, the wall 12 of the can body at its top edge being provided with the usual out-turned ange 16 for this purpose. This ange is bent or beaded in the conventional manner with the peripheral portion of an applied top to secure the top in hermetically sealed relation with the can body.

In carrying out the present invention, the flange 16, at the end of the can wall 12, may be made of slightly greater width than is the present practice to compensate for an added thickness of material to be secured between the ange 16 and the peripheral portion of the applied top, as hereinafter pointed out.

The improved top wall construction comprises the Wall 1S, a sealing liner sheet 20 and the opener device which is generally designated 22.

The wall 18 is here illustrated as comprising a metal disc having the central portion 24 dened by the peripheral downwardly opening channel 26 having the spaced concentric inner and outer wall portions a and b and the intermediate Wall portion c.

The central portion 24 has a pour opening 28 formed therethrough through which may be discharged owable material contained in the receptacle or container of which the top construction forms a part. The opening 28 is here shown as being of elongated form preferably having its radial outer end edge curved or arcuate, as shown, and at the inner end of the opening 28, that is, remote from the curved edge, is a narrow slot 30 which is disposed to extend transversely across the adjacent end of the opening.

The slot 30 and opening 28 are separated by a narrow portion or strip of the wall as indicated at 31.

Between the central portion 24 and the channel 26 the material of the wall is pressed or otherwise formed to have the shallow outwardly projecting rib 24a.

Between the central portion 24 and the channel 26 the material of the wall is pressed or otherwise formed to have the shallow outwardly projecitng rib 24a.

In the bottom or against the underface of the wall c of the channel 26 is a sealing compound 27 which may comprise a latex or other suitable thermoplastic or thermosetting material. Such compound is of a type conventionally used for sealing container tops to the container bodies to form a hermetic seal. Since these compounds are well known in the art it is not believed that a statement of the nature or ingredients of the same is required.

The unit 2G comprises a frangible liner sheet 32 which positions against the under side of the wall unit 18, and which is formed from a suitable material such as metal foil, plastic or the like. While any suitable plastic may be used, that known by the name Saran, which is a type of thermoplastic resins produced by the polymerization of vinylidene chloride alone or with other monomers is preferred. This unit or sheet is preferably aluminum foil of an approximate thickness of .0015 inch, although other thicknesses of metal foil and the like may be used.

The liner sheet unit 20 is also coextensive in size with the wall unit 18 and is here illustrated as having applied to a marginal portion of one face, a strip or layer of the sealing compound as indicated at 33.

The opener unit 22 comprises the two elongate superposed or upper and lower portions 34 and 35 which preferably are formed from a suitable single piece of ribbonlike metal strip, or other material of suitable character. Such material for forming the opener is preferably of aluminum or aluminum alloy which is suiciently stiff in nature but possesses ductile characteristics so as to effectively perform its intended function.

Where aluminum or aluminum alloy is used, the metal is preferably of a thickness approximating .012 inch.

This opener 22 is assembled with and carried by the unit 18.

The unit or wall 18 as formed for application to the end of a can is cut or stamped by a suitable die from sheet metal of suitable weight or thickness to form the metal as a disc as illustrated. In this die forming or stamping operation, the disc is pressed to produce the channel 26, the rib 24a and the openings 28 and 30. Simultaneously with the pressing or stamping operation, the strip or bar portion 31 dividing the openings 28 and 30 is upset or deformed to be elevated slightly above the top surface of the central portion, the metal at each end of the bar being stretched slightly as indicated at 31a so that this bar portion is disposed with the top and bottom surfaces thereof inclined slightly with respect to the plane of the portion 24, the edge of the bar 31 nearest to the slot 30 being highest.

The opening 39 is of a length slightly greater than the width of the opening 28 so that each end of the opening or slot 30 extends slightly beyond the adjacent side edge of the opening 28 for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

The liner sheet unit is also stamped to have the same contour as the wall unit 18 which, in the illustrated structure, is in the form of a disc and, as previously stated, the liner sheet is coextensive in size with the unit 18 against the under face of which it positions. In the illustrated construction, the liner sheet has a diameter suicient to cover the inner surfaces of the walls a, b and c of the channel 26, when the sheet is placed in position against the under side of the unit 18.

As previously stated, the opener unit 22 is formed from a strip of metal of suitable character and this strip in the required length is bent or folded on itself at approximately the transverse center, producing the upper and lower portions 34 and 35 respectively. In forming the opener, the folding action is controlled so that the portion of the metal adjoining the two portions 34 and 35, which portions, for purposes of distinction may be referred to as tongues, will bow upwardly slightly from the plane of the bottom tongue portion 35 as indicated at 36, thereby providing, instead of a sharp bend, a rounded rib that extends transversely of the tongues at the bight portion. By forming the bight portion of the folded strip in this novel manner, the upper tongue may be bent or swung away from the lower tongue in the manner hereinafter set forth, and the metal of the rounded rib will tend to straighten out instead of breaking as would be likely if the metal had been pressed down into a flat sharp bend.

The free end of the tongue portion 35 of the cutter unit 22 is formed in a suitable manner to produce a bla-de 37 having a point 37a, and this tongue portion is also provided, approximately midway of its ends, with an opening 38, for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

The tongue portion 34 of the opener, which, when the opener is applied to the unit 18 in the top assembly, becomes the top or outer tongue, is cut through along the two converging lines 39, to form the pointed spur 40, the point of which is directed away from the free end of the tongue portion and extends slightly beyond the opening 38, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.

In assembling the parts for the top, the tongue portion 35 is inserted through the slot 30 so as to lie beneath the opening 28. The width of the tongue is approximately equal to the length of the slot and since, as previously stated, the slot is of a length greater than the width of the opening and has its ends extended beyond the side edges of the opening, it will be seen that the tongue will be of a width to have marginal side portions thereof lie against the under face of the central portion 24 to thereby completely cover the opening 28. In other words, the width of the tongue portion 35 is greater than the width of the opening 28 and also the length of the tongue is such that the pointed free end will extend beyond the edge of the opening 28 which is remote from the slot 30. 'I'he upper or outer tongue portion 34 will then lie upon the top or outer side of the portion 24 of the wall unit and since the outer tongue portion 34 is also of greater length and width than the opening 28, it will completely cover the latter.

The unit 20 of the sealing liner sheet 32 is positioned against the under face of the unit 18 and the marginal portion of the liner sheet is pressed into the channel 26 by suitable means so that the wall portions of the channel will be covered or substantially so. At least the dimensions of the unit 20 must be such that the inner surface of the channel wall portions a and c are completely covered.

A sealing bond is then effected between the marginal portion of the liner sheet unit and the sealing compound 27 which covers the inner surface of the wall portion c of the channel 26, by the application of heat and pressure or in other suitable manner. While the sealing compound 27 has been illustrated in FIG. 1 as applied in the bottom of the channel 26, obviously the compound could be applied to the opposing marginal portion of the sealing disc or sheet, and the latter applied to the under side of the metal disc forming the unit 18 and bonded thereto as described.

After the units have been assembled in the manner above set forth, there is obtained the complete article as illustrated in FIG. 9 wherein it will be seen that the central portion 24 of the unit is ilat and the opener device applied thereto occupies a position with respect to the plane of the top of the channel 26 so that a multiplicity of these articles can be readily assembled in stacked relation or can be stacked conveniently in the hoppers of conventional top applying machines to be fed and applied to the tops of the can bodies and secured or beaded to the bodies by the conventional beading machines, Without requiring any alteration in the form or construction of either the hoppers or beading machines.

After the tops have been applied to the can bodies the layer of sealing compound 33 which has been previously applied to the marginal portion of the under face of the sealing liner sheet unit will engage the ange 16 of the can wall and, when the channeled marginal portion 26 and the flange 16 have been bent and locked together, the layers 27 and 33 of the sealing compound form a hermetic seal between the bead parts.

FIG. 13 illustrates on an enlarged scale, a completely formed bead which is generally designated B and illustrates how the sealing compound may be distributed in some instances between the members. In this illustration, the free edges of the can body flange 16 and the free edges of the parts of the top are shown as forming shallow pockets P with opposing or adjacent parts, into which sealing compound is forced when the flanges are pressed together. In other instances, however, where the interlocked can body flange and free edges of the top are more completely interlocked, the recesses or pockets shown may not be present but there would be a suicient coating between the `opposing surfaces to form or effect a hermetic seal.

In the present use of metal receptacles, the inner surfaces are lined or coated with a protective lacquer, of a character such as that commonly employed in the trade. This protective lining is particularly important in connection with the canning of liquids, such as beer, ale and the like, for the reason that such liquids react chemically with the metal of the containers if they come in contact with the same and have imparted to them as a result of such chemical action, aan undesirable taste. However, it is extremely difficult to prevent such liquids contacting the metal of the container since such lining is easily broken or scratched and the slightest break which exposes a portion of the metal will permit the beer, ale or like beverage to contact the metal with undesirable results.

The present invention provides a means for effectively preventing contact between the metal of the unit 18, forming the disc top for the can, and the contents of the can. Accordingly the liner sheet may be applied to the under surface of the bare or uncoated metal or it may be used in association with preformed and coated tops regardless of whether the lining is perfect or imperfect.

In the illustration of the invention, the metal disc top unit 18 is shown as having the protective lacquer lining above referred to, such lining being designated 41. However, it is to be understood that while such liner has been here illustrated, the invention is not in any manner restricted thereby since, as above state, the invention is entirely applicable to containers wherein such lining is not present.

In the canning of beer, ale and similar carbonated liquids, after the can top has been applied, the can and contents are subjected to a heating action of sterilizing and such sterilizing process results in an expansion of the gases which cause the end walls of the can to assume an outwardly bowed or convex form approximately as illustrated in FIG. 3. Accordingly, when the invention is to be used in tops for closing cans for beer, ale or other beverages of this nature, the outer tongue portion 34 of the opener unit 22 is given a slight initial longitudinal out bow as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 9 and 12 so that when the central portion 24 of the metal disc top unit assumes the outwardly bowed condition, the outer tongue portion will conform and lie closely against the outer surface of the portion 24 as shown in FIG. 3.

In order to facilitate the engagement of the free outer end of the tongue portion 34 by the linger when opening the container, the outer edge of the portion 34 is turned or struck up slightly as indicated at 42. The striking up or turning of the outer end edge of the outer or top tongue portion 34 may be accomplished in any suitable manner, as, for example, by the bead forming die, simultaneously with the formation of the bead between the cam wall and the top or it may be formed simultaneously with the shaping of the opener before it is attached to the can top, or at the time of applying the opener to the top according to the hereinafter described method. When the pressure is developed within the container in the manner stated, the liner sheet unit will be forced up tightly against the underside of the metal disc top wall unit as shown in FIG. 3, and the under tongue portion 35 will also be forced up in the same manner so that it will be tightly frictionally held in position. In FIG. 3, the under or lower tongue portion 35 is shown bowed upwardly slightly as indicated at 35a and it will be seen that this bowing or bending of the lower tongue portion causes it to engage tightly across the lower edge portion 31b of the bar portion 31 lying between the openings 28 and 30. There is thus obtained a substantial locking engagement between the tongue portion 35 and the metal top wall unit 18 by which it is carried. Any effort to extract the opener device will be resisted by reason of the frictional engagement between the tongue portion 35 and this edge 31b since it would be necessary for the bulged or bowed portion 35a of the tongue to move inwardly in order to pass under the bar and such inward movement would be resisted by the pressure within the can.

Where the invention may be employed in connection with receptacles or containers not designed to carry an internal pressure which would force the liner sheet unit and the lower tongue portion 35 of the opener upwardly against the wall unit 18, the retention of the opener device in position on the wall unit is effected by frictional engagement between the longitudinal edges of the lower tongue portion and the end edges of the slot 30 through which this tongue portion extends to the under side of the wall unit between the latter and the sealing liner sheet 20.

FIGS. 4, and 6 illustrate the stages in the manipulation of the outer tongue portion 34 of the opener device to facilitate its removal for use in cutting away the material 32 of the liner sheet unit from the opening 28 to permit the contents of the container to be poured out.

Assuming the container of FIG. 4 to contain beer, ale or other liquid under pressure, the person desiring to open a container, grasps the upturned or upstruck end edge 42 between the thumb and index finger, as illustrated, with the tip of the index finger placed over the spur 40. The outer end of the tongue is then bent upwardly While lapplying pressure to the middle portion of the tongue with the index linger while at the same time swinging the outer tongue portion upwardly about the rounded rib as a hinge or pivot. The outer tongue portion will then be bent transversely along the back or base portion of the triangle formed by the convergent cuts 39, causing the spur 40 to project downwardly. The tongue portion 34 is then swung back downwardly, reverse'ly bending it along the rib 36, and the point of the spur is directed downwardly through the opening 38 and forced through the sealing liner sheet in the manner illustrated in FIG. 6. As soon as the liner sheet is ruptured, the compressed gas in the container escapes with a sharp psst and as `soon as this occurs, the sealing liner sheet becomes relaxed and releases the pressure against the under or lower tongue portion 34 of the opener so that the latter is freed. The opener may then be withdrawn through the slot 30 and the point of the opener vis then used to cut away the material of the liner sheet from the opening 28 so that the contents of the receptacle can be discharged.

In the preceding description, no specific method of forming the opener has been set forth except to bring out that the strip of metal is bent on itself to form the tongues 34 and 35 and shape the bight to form the rib 36, and the assembly of the opener and top has been described to the extent of stating that the tongue 35 is inserted through the slot.

A preferred method of procedure for forming the opener and assembling the parts is as follows, reference being had to FIGURES 14 and 15 of the drawings.

The unit 18a, here shown as a disk, after formation with the bordering channel 26a and the pour opening 28a and slot 30a, is located at a predetermined station ready for the next step. Preferably the disks are fed in edge to edge relation to such station.

Upon reaching the stated station, the strip of material 22a is moved toward the slot 30a across the top or outer side of the disk and the advancing end inserted through the slot to position the forward end portion at the back of the disk in covering relation with the pour opening 28a. The strip 22a is then cut transversely in a suitable manner outside the diameter of the disk, as indicated at 122 and at each end of this cut the edge of the strip has a recess 123 cut therein. Such recesses are here shown as arcuate and each extends an equal distance beyond the end of the transverse cut. This `is the preferred form or configuration for the recesses though it is conceivable that other forms may be employed to attain the desired results.

Also the cut 122 is preferably curved or arcuate transversely of the strip, as shown, thus the cutting of the strip provides the strip section 124 for the formation of the cutter unit having the lower tongue forming portion 35a at the back of the disk and the upper tongue forming portion 34a, which at this stage of the process lies across the channel 26a.

The tongue forming portion 34a is then folded over into superposed relation with the portion 35a to form the `opener unit 22b. This positions the portion 35a to overlie the pour opening 28a, as shown in FIG. 15, to completely cover the opening through lits width and length, in the same way as does the tongue 34.

In severing the strip as indicated, the end portion of the strip section 124, providing the tongue portion 35a, has an inset centralized edge portion d, shown here as concave, intersected at each end by a portion e of a recess 123, thereby producing vat each intersection a point f. This provides the puncturing and cutting means for rupturing and removing the frangible liner sheet 20.

The end portion of the strip section providing the tongue portion 34a has the projecting centralized edge portion g shown as arcuate, fianked by the inset edge h.

In the folding of the strip portion 124 the bight por- 9 tion between the tongue portions 34a and 35a is kept rounded transversely as at 36a for the purpose hereinbefore set forth in the description of the part 36.

Preceding the advancement of the strip 22a for entering the cutting edge of the tongue portion 35a through the slot 30a, the strip is provided with the opening 38a and the slits 39a to form the spur 40a.

In some instances it may -be desired to prevent contact between the liner sheet 20 and the contents of the receptacle, in which case the under or inner surface of the liner, whether of aluminum foil, Saran plastic or other material, has applied thereto a coating 125 shown in FIGURE 16, of a vinyl resin which in itself is nontoxic and does not react unfavorably, chemically or otherwise, with the contents of the container. This coating covers the entire inner surface of the liner, extending thereover into the portions thereof lying in the channel 26 or 26a.v

The second sealing application is then made in the channel, to the surface of the vinyl coating as indicated at 33a.

The vinyl resin coating has been illustrated in FIG- URE 16, as applied to the sealing liner 20a, joined to the unit 18a, in connection with which the opener unit 22h is shown. However, it is understood that this use of the vinyl coating may apply yalso to the top in association with which the opener 22 has been shown and described.

Where the vinyl coating is applied to aluminum foil it is not only serves to keep the metal from contact with the receptacle contents, as stated, but it adds to the ductility of the metal, thereby reducing the liability of the same to rupture when the top is applied to the can body.

From the foregoing description taken in association with the illustration of the invention as applied to a metal container or receptacle, it will be `seen that the several objects desired to be obtained as hereinbefore set forth, are obtainable with the construction disclosed, among which objects are the provision of a container for flowable material, having a wall opening and an opener of novel character assembled in a manner whereby the opener is held in place in a new and novel manner until until desired for use.

The sealing liner sheet effectively closes the opening and also assists in maintaining the opener in position and where the invention is applied to tops for cans carrying liquids under pressure, the pressure of the liquid is utilized in securing the opener to the top wall of the container and also the lower tongue portion of the opener prevents the pressure from rupturing the liner sheet, since such opener portion forms a barrier between the liner sheet and wall body across the opening. Likewise,` the top tongue portion overlies the opening on top of the wall and prevents any object from being forced against the underlying tongue through the opening.

A's hereinbefore stated, the use of an implement having a pointed end for forming a pour opening in a metallic receptacle has certain disadvantages or undesirable features.

First, it requires the use of a pointed implement for the purpose above stated, a person with a rather strong grip to force the pointed end of the implement through the receptacle wall, if the receptacle is of metal, and accordingly, diiculty is experienced in such use by women or other-persons who may not have a strong hand.

Secondly, such a pointed implement may be left lying around and accordingly may become lost or it may not be possible to locate the same when wanted, and it frequently occurs that when beer, ale or other beverages put up in metal receptacles are taken on outings, the opening implement is forgotten and obvious diiculties anse.

Thirdly, the use of opening devices which are punched through a receptacle wall may not be entirely sanitary,

10 especially if the same are not properly cleansed before" being used, and, since the point of the opener usually enters the receptacle, contamination of the contents may occur.

With the present invention, the foregoing diculties are all avoided since very little strength is required to bend the top portion or tongue 34 of the opener device and then thrust the point of the spur through the sealing liner so that the opener can be removed. The pointed end of the lower tongue portion of the opener can then Very easily be used to cut away the sealing liner so that the contents of the receptacle can be dispensed or, since the use of such opener does not produce any sharp or jagged edges in the metal, the contents can be consumed directly from the pour opening without danger of injury to the consumer.

It will also be seen that due to the novel construction of the top whereby the cutting point of the lower tongue is shielded or protected, such points will be kept clean and sanitary so that contamination of the contents of the receptacle cannot result from its use.

While the foregoing description has been directed particularly to a can construction, especially a hermetically sealed one for marketing beer or other liquids under pressure, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to such a receptacle or to its location in the top wall thereof since the invention is broadly applicable to receptacles or containers of other materials than metal, such as paper or iiberboard, plastic or composition materials and may also be incorporatedin any wall of a receptacle of any form.

We claim:

1. A container top construction comprising a plate body adapted to provide a closure for a container, said body having a slot in the central part thereof and an elongate opening extending from one side of the slot for the discharge of the container contents, said slot having a length to extend at both ends beyond the width of the opening, the portion of the body lying between the slot and opening forming a bar which is embossed from and is integral with and lies above the top of the body and is inclined across its width toward the opening, a frangible sealing disc lying against the underside of the body and covering the slot and opening, said sealing disc being secured to the plate body aroundthe periphery of the latter, and an opener member comprising an initially at strip of metal of a width substantially equal to the length of said slot and bent transversely intermediate its ends to form a lower portion and an upper portion, said lower portion having its free end extended through said slot between the plate body and the sealing disc and covering said opening, said upper portion extending across the top of said bar and overlying and closing said opening from the top, and coacting means carried by the upper and lower portions for effecting rupture of the sealing disc when the upper portion is bent upwardly from its free end.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said sealing disc comprises aluminum foil.

3. The invention according to claim 1, wherein said sealing disc is substantially coextensive with the plate body and functions in the assembling of the top on a container body to eliminate direct Contact between the container and plate body, a layer of sealing material forming the securement between the sealing disc and the plate body, and an annular layer of sealing material covering the under surface of the sealing disc at the periphery thereof.

4. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the bend between the upper and lower portions of the opener is rounded in transverse section whereby the upper p0rtion may be swung up from the top of the plate body without breaking.

5. A receptacle containing a fluid under pressure, a wall for the receptacle having a preformed pour opening therein, and a second opening in an embossment closely adjacent to the pour opening, a frangible protection lining lying against the inner side of the wall over said openings, and an opener device comprising a blade of relatively easily deformable material compressed between the wall and lining and covering and closing the pour opening and having a portion extended through the second opening to the outside of the wall, and said blade having `a portion deformed by the pressure in the receptacle to bulge into and be held in the pour opening and thereby set up a locking engagement with an edge of the latter opening releasable only by reduction of the pressure thereagainst.

6. A container top construction comprising a plate body adapted to provide a closure fora container, said plate body having two openings therein, one of said openings providing means for dispensing the contents of the container, a frangible sealing element lying against the underside of the body and covering said openings, and an opener member detachably carried by the body and including an elongate substantially flat portion inserted at one end from the top side of the body through the other one of the openings and lying against the underside of the body between the body and the sealing element and covering and closing the rst mentioned one of the openings, the portion of the plate body lying between the openings being elevated above the top surface of the body whereby said inserted portion is positoned to -lie snugly against the underside of the body around the rst mentioned one of the openings.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,092,671 9/ 1937 Hildebrandt 220-48 2,159,325 5/1939 Fabrice 113-121 2,165,715 7/1939 Milne 220--48 2,365,350 12/1944 Marek 113-121 2,790,577 4/1957 Fried 220-48 THERON E, CONDON, Primary Examiner.

EARLE I. DRUMMOND, Examiner. 

5. A RECEPTACLE CONTAINING A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE, A WALL FOR THE RECEPTACLE HAVING A PERFORMED POUR OPENING THEREIN, AND A SECOND OPENING IN AN EMBOSSMENT CLOSELY ADJACENT TO THE POUR OPENING, A FRANGIBLE PROTECTION LINING LYING AGAINST THE INNER SIDE OF THE WALL OVER SAID OPENINGS, AND AN OPENER DEVICE COMPRISING A BLADE OF RELATIVELY EASILY DEFORMABLE MATERIAL COMPRESSED BETWEEN THE WALL AND LINING AND COVERING AND CLOSING THE POUR OPENING AND HAVING A PORTION EXTENDED THROUGH THE SECOND OPENING TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE WALL, AND SAID BLADE HAVING A PORTION DEFORMED BY THE PRESSURE IN THE RECEPTACLE TO BULGE INTO AND BE HELD IN THE POUR OPENING AND THEREBY SET UP A LOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH AN EDGE OF THE LATTER OPENING RELEASABLE ONLY BY REDUCTION OF THE PRESSURE THEREAGAINST. 